Abstract
GIS as a Theme or 'Glue' in a Department
Track: Teaching with GIS in Higher Education
Author
Soon after beginning an environmental studies department in 1992, the faculty in the department at the University of St. Thomas decided that GIS should serve as a 'glue' or theme for the program. Our students are shown maps made by using GIS and allowed basic access to the program in their first two years. They then take a GIS course at either the end of their second year or at the beginning of their third year. By placing our first GIS course at the mid-point in our students' preparation we could demonstrate the power of GIS and then require its use in our upper division courses. Many of our students have gone on to jobs in GIS, or jobs using GIS as environmental professionals. This gives them a 'foot up' on other job applicants for many jobs when compared to schools without a GIS component to student preparation.
William Harris
University of St. Thomas
Environmental Studies
3800 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77006
United States
Phone: 713-525-3805
Fax: 713-525-3845
E-mail: wharris@stthom.edu